Tonight's subject, a Springfield Milspec 1911. Not quite as easy as the Glock, but not too bad. This one wasn't as dirty but got a good cleaning anyway. Only tricky part was getting the safety back in the frame during reassembly.
[img]http://www.petenelson.com/Photos/Misc/Guns/Springfield%201911/Detail%20Strip%2001.jpg[/img]

Well at least it isn't a Series 80 with that firing pin block crap.
They made me completely strip down and clean a Colt 1911 series 80 and the damn firing pin disconnect parts wouldn't stay still when I tried to install the thumb safety. Took me 1/2 hour just to get that thing back together again.
Did you ever notice that Springfield uses 9mm firing pins in their 1911s?

I detail strip mine every so often (measured in years) and wash them with simple green and water.
Then dry, lightly oil, and reassmble. That prevents any oily crud from building up.
Got the technique from the American Gunsmith Guild videos.

Originally Posted By Imbroglio:
Well at least it isn't a Series 80 with that firing pin block crap.
They made me completely strip down and clean a Colt 1911 series 80 and the damn firing pin disconnect parts wouldn't stay still when I tried to install the thumb safety. Took me 1/2 hour just to get that thing back together again.
Did you ever notice that Springfield uses 9mm firing pins in their 1911s?

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I thought you could just throw away the 'extra parts' in the series 80? [smoke]

Normally I find you don't need to detail strip if you.
(1) field strip
(2) hose down everything with Gunscrubber
(3) drink beer / smoke while Gunscrubber evaporates.
(4) hose down with Aerosol Can of CLP
(5) drink/smoke again
(6) wipe off and reassemble.
No worries [:D]

Originally Posted By Imbroglio:
Well at least it isn't a Series 80 with that firing pin block crap.
They made me completely strip down and clean a Colt 1911 series 80 and the damn firing pin disconnect parts wouldn't stay still when I tried to install the thumb safety. Took me 1/2 hour just to get that thing back together again.
Did you ever notice that Springfield uses 9mm firing pins in their 1911s?

View Quote

I found it was easier if you hold the frame upside down ¿¿¿....
p.s. I didnt know taking the 1911 down that far voided the warranty

When I had the beavertail installed, they had to put a different hammer on because the stock hammer wouldn't work with it. Here's what it looked like originally.
[img]http://www.ecis.com/~weasel/temp/1911.jpg[/img]